2014

Newsroom

B-CU Hosts Divine Nine Presidents Retreat

Daytona Beach, FL - The top decision makers of the largest, Black Greek letter organizations will come together for a retreat at Bethune-Cookman University this weekend. The attendees will include: Paulette Walker, President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Mark Tillman, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Dorothy Wilson, International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Thomas Battles, Jr., Senior Grand Vice Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Mary Wright, President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Tony Knox, Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Bonita Herring, Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; Johnathan Mason, Sr., President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and Robert Clark, Grand Polaris of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. These nine organizations make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which promotes unity and interaction through forums, meetings and other activities. This will be the first official retreat since 2007; and the leaders are anxious to come together with a set agenda. The desired outcome of this retreat is to share partnership ideas, business strategies and offer possible resolutions to mutual concerns.

President Jackson is excited to host such an illustrious group of guests on the campus of B-CU. "We are overjoyed that the Presidents of the Divine Nine have chosen to convene here on our campus. Our founder, Mary McLeod-Bethune, was an honorary member of the Divine Nine and these organizations are a large part of our campus culture," says President Jackson. Jennifer Jones, President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, is optimistic about this weekend's event and credits B-CU with helping to create a great experience for these leaders. "We reached out to B-CU to host this event and they agreed. They have been extremely helpful; and it's been a great partnership," says Jones. The presidents will travel to Daytona Beach today and formally meet on Friday and Saturday. There are no planned receptions or outside events surrounding the retreat.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact Keisha Boyd -boydk@cookman.edu or (386)214-3653.

Bethune-Cookman University was founded in 1904 and serves the community via three campuses in Daytona Beach, Deltona and Hastings. For more information, visitwww.cookman.edu.

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Office of Communications

About Bethune Cookman University:

Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) today sustains her legacy of faith, scholarship and service through its relationship with the United Methodist Church and its commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. B-CU offers 38 degrees on its main campus and online college. Located in Daytona Beach, B-CU is one of three private, historically black colleges in the state of Florida. The institution boasts a diverse and international faculty and student body of nearly 4,000. For more information, visit www.cookman.edu.